Traffic court

Traffic court is a type of court that deals specifically with traffic law violations. Common cases heard by traffic courts include speeding, red light violations, and driving under the influence (DUI) charges.

Overview

Traffic courts are designed to handle minor offenses that involve traffic incidents. These courts are typically separate from the main criminal court system, although they are still part of the overall judicial system. The primary purpose of traffic court is to ensure that traffic laws are enforced and that violators are held accountable for their actions.

Procedure

When a person receives a traffic ticket, they have the option to either pay the fine or contest the ticket in traffic court. If they choose to contest the ticket, they will be given a court date where they will appear before a judge or magistrate. The officer who issued the ticket may also be present to provide their account of the incident.

The defendant has the right to be represented by a lawyer, although many people choose to represent themselves in traffic court. If the judge finds the defendant guilty, they may be required to pay a fine, attend traffic school, or in some cases, have their driver's license suspended.

Types of Violations

Traffic courts handle a variety of violations, including:

• Speeding: This is one of the most common violations handled in traffic court. Speeding tickets can result in fines and points on a driver's license.
• Red light violations: Running a red light is a serious offense that can result in a hefty fine.
• Driving under the influence (DUI): DUI charges are serious and can result in jail time, fines, and license suspension.
• Parking violations: These are typically minor offenses that result in a fine.

See Also

• Traffic ticket
• Speeding ticket
• Driving under the influence
• Parking violation